XFL Update – TV Deal to Be Announced Soon & Player Contracts

As noted before, Vince McMahon and Alpha Entertainment announced that the XFL’s revival will begin in 2020 with eight teams scheduled to compete in the league’s second season.

In an update to the XFL’s current status, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that an official television deal for the league is currently expected to be announced within the next few weeks. Meltzer reported that there has been more interest in the league from potential television networks than previously assumed due to the rising demand for live sports programming.

XFL officials reportedly are hoping to have all of their eight “star” quarterbacks signed to deals by the end of March in order to have plenty of time to advertise coaches and star players in their local XFL markets prior to the start of the season.

In regards to contracts, Meltzer reported that the XFL is looking at signing players to exclusive long term contracts. XFL’s main rival, Alliance of American Football (AAF), reportedly are planning to be more flexible with their contracts, allowing their signed players the ability to sign with the NFL if given an offer but not allowing them to sign with the XFL or other non-NFL leagues. This could potentially attract higher caliber players who have NFL aspirations and don’t want to be locked into long-term XFL contracts.